Gardaí are investigating a complaint lodged by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, in relation to his constituency office in Co. Kildare.

It is understood that the complaint relates to two signs that were previously at the office at Moorefield Road in Newbridge yesterday (Saturday, February 28).

In a statement, a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said:

"Gardaí have received [a] report of an alleged incident of theft at a premises in Newbridge Co. Kildare on February 28, 2026. Enquiries are ongoing."

Signs

A spokesperson for Minister Heydon confirmed to Agriland that the minister filed a complaint with gardaí today (Sunday, March 1).

Yesterday, the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) held a protest outside the minister's constituency office in Newbridge as the dispute over Bord Bia chair Larry Murrin continues.

According to the IFA around 1,500 farmers attended the protest on foot, while there were 300 in a convoy of vehicles.

In a statement to Agriland, a spokesperson for IFA said:

"We contacted his office last evening to make them aware of this and to say we would replace them."

Bord Bia

The IFA is demanding the resignation of Larry Murrin as Bord Bia chair over beef and poultry imports from Brazil by his company, Dawn Farm Foods.

The association believes Murrin's position as chair of Bord Bia is "untenable" and have said "farmer confidence [in Bord Bia] will only be restored with his removal".

The IFA has proposed a "framework" to resolve the ongoing dispute.

Larry Murrin has stated he has "never been conflicted" in undertaking his role at Bord Bia, which he said "is to lead the board and ensure its effectiveness".

The government, including Minister Martin Heydon, has given its support to Larry Murrin to remain in his position.

Heydon

On Thursday (February 26), Minister Heydon proposed establishing "an independently run governance review" in a bid to break the stalemate in the dispute.

The proposal is expected to be discussed by the board of Bord Bia during a meeting on Monday (March 2).

In a statement today, Minister Heydon said it is "disappointing that farmers are been denied the detail at the heart this issue, by the leadership of the IFA".

"This whipping up of business deals, which are very explainable and ultimately in Irish farmers best interests, is wreckless and has led to a situation where damage is being inflicted on my constituency office.

"This is not something you normally associate with IFA protests," he said.

Minister Heydon called on the IFA Council to "give proper consideration to the very fair proposal that I’ve put forward in response to the farm organisations' submissions".

"An independent governance review is what the IFA and other farm organisations have asked for.

"The board could agree to not meet for the entirety of the review period giving time and space for the questions raised about conflicts of interest etc. to be independently examined and adjudicated on," he said.

"I very much would like to see the protestors be able to return home to their farms and their families while that review takes place.

"That is in everyone’s best interests and the best interests of the Irish agri-food sector," the minister added.

Protest

The IFA began a rolling farmer protest at Bord Bia's offices at Pembroke Road in Dublin on January 26.

Five farmers have been inside the building for almost a month now.

The IFA said its action will continue until Larry Murrin resigns or is removed as chair of the Irish Food Board.